Some Dried Herbs for Floral Design

Guest Author - Connie Krochmal

Whether they’re used fresh or as everlastings, herbs are a perfect choice for floral design. Once they’re dried, the herbal stems can be used for all sorts of everlasting arrangements. Let’s look at some of the suitable herbs.

Lavender is one of the beloved favorites when it comes to everlastings. For a lavender wand, just tie the dried stems together with a ribbon or a piece of lace.

Rosemary stems retain their color and fragrance very well when they’re dried. When harvesting, be sure to select stems that are long enough.

Sage stems can be cut most any time during the growing season. They’re particularly beautiful when the blossoms are present. The delicate, purplish-blue flowers can add interest to an everlasting bouquet.

Normally, lambs ear will be too short to cut for use as an everlasting. The exception is usually when it is blooming, which is mostly from early to mi-summer. These flowers resemble those of the sage. They appear on a tall flower stalk.

Artemisia has long been a favorite for everlastings. The stems need to be harvested when they’re in prime condition. Silver King is one of the preferred varieties though others are suitable as well.

Yarrow is usually harvested when it is in bloom. The flowers can be air dried very easily. The yellow varieties tend to retain their color very well. Yarrow has very delicate, fern-like foliage, which adds a nice touch to an
everlasting arrangement.

Chive blossoms can be air dried. These are very delicate looking. Opening in rounded heads that look like balls, the blooms are pinkish-purple. There are varieties with flowers in other colors, but these are less commonly grown. The stems can be short. So, select the tallest ones you have. Harvest when the flowers are most colorful, which is right after the florets are fully open. The onion-like scent mostly disappears when the flowers are dried.

The mints need no introduction. Select the longest stems you have as some mint varieties tend to be low growing. For additional color, harvest when the flowers are open. Or, select varieties of mint that have variegated foliage.

Coriander flowers are just wonderful for everlastings. Opening in large, flat bunches, these are white. They open on long stems. Harvest these when the blooms are in prime condition.